That Thursday afternoon at The Modern was what everyone in the previous clique, now grown adults, was looking forward to, as this get-together will be their last until Padmé and Anakin's wedding, and after that they won't see each other for a long time . Everyone was busy with their lives and commitments.
One of the finer restaurants in town, The Modern had excellent food, superb wine, a contemporary ambiance, and was most crucially costly. This time, Ben insisted on paying the amount even though Anakin wanted to settle the payment.
"Even if I don't have hundreds of millions of dollars on my account, I can afford to spend a few thousand dollars on lunch with my friends."
"Hey Ben, you're not poor, and when your wife starts working, you won't know where to put the money."
Everyone chuckled, but Ben felt as though he no longer belonged due of his significantly lower income. His friends didn't care about the money, but when you have money, that's typically how it is.
They all headed to the LaGuardia after lunch, wanted to say goodbye to Cody and Dormé.
Although LaGuardia is the New York metropolitan area's smallest airport, it is very busy. As befitted millionaires, Cody rented a private jet for him and Dormé, and they were ready to enjoy their champagne until they touched down at Roland Regan Airport in Washington, D.C.
Padmé saw how her friend had eyes only for Cody and changed in her behavior in just a few days.
"Cody...Dormé...we're all glad to see you guys together, or together again, or I don't know what to call it, because it's you...obviously." So, what's the official status? The friends deserve to know."
"So…Padmé, maybe it looks rushed but it's not, it's always been there kind of, that attraction, all of you noticed that a long time ago. Officially it says: we are together...exclusively."
"So, Cody...you'll get a kiss from us for bon voyage and we'll see you at our wedding and then we'll see who's next."
Everyone said goodbye with lots of kisses and warm hugs and Dormé and Cody went to the gate. Padmé watched them leave, they were a lovely couple.
The Kenobis went home, Rex and Sabé spontaneously decided to have a drink somewhere, although they had a date the next day, but it couldn't hurt. Padme and Anakin were about to start sorting and packing their clothes.
The dinner with their families was planned for Saturday evening. They wanted to go to Gabriel Kreuther together and hoped the parents would like this beautiful restaurant with a special atmosphere.
After breakfast, no… after a night full of love, they sat at the breakfast table and sipped their cappuccino and fed each other French croissants that Padmé had bought again from Paris Baguett.
"I'll never stop telling you I love you a thousand times a day."
His eyes filled with tears.
"I love you too...but Ani..." She got up, went to him and sat on his lap..." ..what's going on?"
"Nothing, I'm just happy Padmé, happy with you, consciously happy, and I don't want to live without you, I couldn't live without you..." he buried his face in her chest..."...you are everything to me."
"Oh Ani….you know I love you so much, I can't imagine my life without you, not anymore. Kiss Me."
He kissed her and then... Cappuccino got cold.
After taking a shower, they began packing. Some goods had to be removed, and Anakin had to carry them to the storehouse. They had another shower in the afternoon, then slept in front of the TV before slowly getting ready for dinner.
Padmé was keen on demonstrating unity with Anakin. He was dressed entirely in dark blue, so she matched by sporting a dark blue Chanel suit and swing coat, as well as her favorite Louboutins. She had evening make up, put on lipstick and pinned her hair back. They were beautiful to see.
Padmé and Anakin were there a little earlier to wait for their guests, they invited. Despite the meeting and the clarifying conversation with their parents a week ago, both were a little tense. Owen and Beru couldn't come, his parents weren't a problem,...but Jobal and Ruwee...Anakin still felt like they didn't accept him. He couldn't shake the impression that they still blamed him for the situation from seven years ago and he still had a suspicion that they would think only a lawyer would be good enough for Padmé. Yes, the Naberrie Lawyer Dynasty...which will now be defunct.
"Be easy Ani, the worst is over. We stick together, nothing can come between us."
"I'm still wondering how this meeting will be for our parents, I mean they should have met seven years ago and now after all that..."
"Ani...seven years ago or now, it doesn't matter, it's the first time."
"Yes, but with everything in between, who blames whom?"
"Only they know that, but that won't be discussed tonight...the past at all. We better talk about the wedding."
At that moment, Shmi and Cliegg arrived and greeted them warmly. Small talk dominated the first few minutes until the Naberries and Janrens arrived. That greeting was heartfelt too, Sola was demonstratively nice to Anakin, which she actually always was.
"Nice restaurant, I've never been here." Jobal was always interested in good restaurants because of their potential clientele and colleagues.
"If the food is that good, you can put it on your list."
"Yes dear, you know how important it is."
"Yes Mom, but first let's order something to drink."
It was some cocktails for Anakin Whiskey on the Rocks.
Anakin stood, everyone watched, they didn't expect a speech. Neither was intended, but Anakin found it necessary to clarify some things, if only subliminally. "Dear Parents, Sola, Darred, my Padmé and I are truly fortunate to have our families around us who we can always count on for support. Next time we'll see each other in Boston, where you'll be witnesses of the most beautiful day, the day...which could have come sooner for us...but, as the saying goes: All's well that ends well. Well, we're almost a month away from that, but that day will come, nothing and nobody can stop it. My Padmé and I are defying all odds."
Padmé stood up, her forehead touching his, but they didn't kiss to avoid smearing her lipstick. She raised the glass: "To all of us, Ani, I love you."
"I love you more."
And again she touched his forehead with hers. Everyone raised their glasses and toasted Padme and Anakin.
Shmi and Clieg raised their glasses and Schmi said: "Happiness for life, with your happiness we will be happy too."
Ruwee didn't prepare for a speech, but like a good lawyer, the best lawyer in New York, he always knew how to respond to the unexpected. "I didn't expect to have to give a speech tonight, well I...we, your parents Padmé, are glad you found happiness." He said without mentioning Anakin.
Sola didn't like that, she had to counter, that was her nature. "I raise this glass to you both and wish you happiness until the end of your life. Now that you're together again, hold on to happiness, enjoy being together knowing that happiness doesn't come naturally. Stick together and don't get discouraged. Again, to both of you and hopefully soon, nephews and nieces."
"You can count on that, Sola."
"I want to know when I'll be an aunt, Anakin."
"Maybe this year..."
"Didn't you want to go back to work, Padmé?" Ruwee asked.
"No, I want to have a family first, raise my children for a few years and then I'll see."
"You didn't study for nothing, do you want to forget your career, dear?"
"My career almost cost me my life, I don't want that anymore... and anyway, we have millions in the account, we don't have to work."
"But you're going to work, Anakin, aren't you?"
"Yes, when I've finished my dissertation. Unfortunately, what I chose is so specific, I don't have that many options...Boeing, NASA..."
"Then you always have work to do all over America... and Padmé?"
"Padmé said she wants to follow me wherever I go."
He raised her hand and kissed it. He covered her hand, which was on the table, with his the whole time, or placed it on her waist. They sat close together, more than was usual, wanting to show their bond. Her parents noticed the tip.
"Do what makes you happy, love, even if you dedicate yourself to the family and don't go back to work, that's fine with me. We want to see our daughter happy, don't we Ruwee?"
"That's the way it is. Live your life Padmé, how you see fit, it's your life. We will support you in every decision you make in the future...and help if you need us."
"Thank you and I'm glad you realized I can't live the life you want me to."
Shmi and Cliegg listened, had nothing to say, they were always by Anakin's side and didn't try to force the life they thought right on him. It was just incredibly difficult for her to see him go through hell. They knew this path was over the moment Padmé came back to him. He was happy again, you could see that, he was beaming, he was laughing again.
"Have you found a delicacy that you might like?"
Everyone nodded and the waiter came over to take the order. The dishes chosen were of excellent quality and expertly presented. Five courses, eight times five hundred dollars... the bill was astronomical, but Anakin and Padme had enough money.
Padmé's parents and Sola were very kind to Shmi and Cliegg, which pleased Anakin, although he still got the impression Ruwee still held a grudge against him. He didn't know it was just jealousy...kinda...Dad's little girls.
The wedding was discussed, who is coming when. Sola could only stay for a short time, Ryoo and Pooja had to go to school, they would even miss a day. The two parents will come on February 11th. That was good because her friends will be arriving early on February 13th.
At the end of the evening everyone was in a good mood and happy, Padmé and Anakin that there were no tensions, Shmi and Cliegg that they got along well with Padmé's parents and Sola that her little sister was happy.
They said goodbye by mid-February.
The next morning Anakin pulled up Padmé's Q5, loaded the bags and headed to Boston in a mere 28°F. The same temperatures awaited them there, but the apartment was warm and the bed comfortable.
.
.
Best regards from Germany